Treasures of the Pharaohs at the Quirinale: Ancient Egypt Comes to Rome

From 24 October 2025 to 3 May 2026, the Scuderie del Quirinale turns into a small corner of ancient Egypt.
If you’ve always been fascinated by pharaohs, golden masks and mysterious tombs, this exhibition – “Treasures of the Pharaohs” – is one you’ll want to make time for.

Curated by Dr. Tarek El Awady, the exhibition brings together 130 masterpieces from some of Egypt’s most important museums, including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, along with an additional precious piece from the Egyptian Museum in Turin.

It’s not just a “nice exhibition” – it’s a genuinely rare event: this is only the second time that Egypt has authorised such a large-scale loan of works abroad, the first being in the early 2000s at Palazzo Grassi in Venice. Many of the works on display are being shown in Italy for the very first time, making this a unique opportunity to admire world-class Egyptian treasures without ever leaving Rome.

A journey through six themes

The exhibition is organised into six thematic sections, making it easy to follow even if you’re not an expert in ancient history. As you move through the rooms, you’ll explore:

  • The divine role of the pharaohs – how rulers were seen as living gods on earth.

  • Social organisation – what everyday life was like for people in different classes.

  • Spirituality and religion – the beliefs that shaped rituals, art and politics.

  • Rituals of the afterlife – how the Egyptians prepared for the journey beyond death.

  • Recent archaeological discoveries – what new finds are revealing about this civilisation.

The tone of the exhibition is both educational and immersive: you don’t need to know anything in advance to enjoy it, but if you already love ancient Egypt, you’ll find plenty of depth.

Highlights you’ll see up close

Among the many works on display, a few stand out immediately – both for their beauty and their historical importance:

  • The monumental sculpture of the Triad of Menkaure (Old Kingdom)

  • The golden sarcophagus of Queen Ahhotep (New Kingdom)

  • The Golden Flies Necklace of Queen Ahhotep

  • The golden funerary mask of Amenemope

  • The golden sarcophagus of Thuya, grandmother of Pharaoh Akhenaten

  • The golden funerary covering of Pharaoh Psusennes I (Third Intermediate Period)

  • Statues of Sennefer, Ramesses VI and Thutmose III

Alongside these iconic pieces, you’ll also find royal jewellery, everyday objects and sarcophagi decorated with sacred symbols. Together, they help you imagine not only the splendour of the royal courts, but also the daily routines of people who lived thousands of years ago.

The rediscovery of the “Golden City”

One of the most fascinating parts of the exhibition is dedicated to the “Golden City” – a settlement dating back to the reigns of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten.

Recently brought to light thanks to an exceptional archaeological excavation, this ancient city offers a rare, almost intimate glimpse into:

  • Daily life in ancient Egypt

  • The work of artisans serving the royal court

  • The tools, objects and spaces that supported the world of the pharaohs behind the scenes

This section is especially interesting if you’re curious not only about temples and tombs, but also about how people actually lived, worked and created.

Italy & Egypt: a bridge of cultural diplomacy

The whole project is the result of a prestigious collaboration between Italy and Egypt, a clear example of how culture can act as a bridge between countries.

Through these works, the exhibition traces the key stages of Egyptian history, from its earliest phases to the golden age of the New Kingdom and the Third Intermediate Period. It’s like walking through a timeline made of stone, gold and colour.

More than a visit: talks, tours and workshops

To enrich the experience, the exhibition is accompanied by:

  • A catalogue edited by Dr. Zahi Hawass, one of the most famous Egyptologists in the world

  • A full programme of events, including: Lectures and conferences, Guided tours, Educational workshops for adults and children

Whether you’re a passionate Egypt fan, a parent looking for a meaningful activity with kids, or simply someone who loves beautiful things, this exhibition offers plenty of ways to connect with an incredible civilisation.

If you’re in Rome between October 2025 and May 2026, it’s a truly special exhibition to add to your list: easy to enjoy even if you’re not an expert, packed with spectacular, rarely seen masterpieces, and a chance to follow the story of ancient Egypt through real objects that have travelled across millennia to reach us.

You don’t just look at history here – you walk through it.

Visitor Info

📅When: from 24 October 2025 to 3 May 2026

⏰Opening hours: from 10:00 to 20:00 (last admission at 19:00).
🗓️On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, doors open earlier at 9:00.
💡Weekends booking is recommended.

📍Where: Scuderie del Quirinale, Via 24 Maggio, 16 – Rome

Contacts:

Website: www.scuderiequirinale.it
Social Media: Instagram,   Facebook
Purchase tickets online
Telephone: +39 02 9289 7722
Email (groups): [email protected]
Email (info): [email protected]